Myanmar frees 20 political prisoners

Around 20 political prisoners were included in a Myanmar jail amnesty announced in official media on Tuesday, democracy activists said, amid calls for all dissidents to be freed.

The 88 Generation Students Group, which played a key part in a 1988 uprising against the former junta, said political inmates held around the country were among a group of 46 prisoners authorities began to release this morning.

The move comes shortly after a Myanmar minister pledged further amnesties for jailed dissidents during a high-profile European tour by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month.